Principal Chris Grinter has been at the helm at Rotorua Boys High School for 33 years, after becoming a teacher 50 years ago.
Rotorua Boys' High has one of the highest rates of Maori students in the country - at 75 percent.
The school was languishing when Mr Grinter arrived three decades ago, the roll was dropping and its reputation was not great.
Now, it is the recipient of awards for sporting and cultural success and their NCEA results are something to be proud of.
Last year's NCEA results for Year 12 students came in at 92 percent, and 96 for Year 13 - which Chris Grinter says has closed the gap between Maori and Pakeha achievement.
Photo: Andrew Warner
